Best Smartphone Under 15000 INR in 2015 so far

Confused of which smartphone to buy because of the gazillion options available in the market? Then I am here to help you take out of the dilemma. We will try to explain every aspect what you should look for an ideal smartphone for yourself, and then you decide by yourself that which is the best smartphone under 15000 INR for you. New smart cellphone models with better technology are coming into the market every quarter so it becomes difficult to choose the best smartphone for yourself. We have hand-picked the perfect smartphones under INR ₹15000 and below for you.

Before going through the list of ideal smartphones, you can have look at the smartphone guide that we have prepared to clear most of your doubts regarding smartphone purchase.

(i) Smartphones buying guide

This guide will clear some of your general doubts about certain aspects of smartphones. If you already know these things, then skip to the next section.

1. How much RAM is necessary in a smartphone?

First you need to figure out the uses of your smartphone. If you are going to run a lot apps simultaneously while some are running in background hogging memory then you will require more RAM to accommodate them running simultaneously. Also, with increasing apps and its improving rich user experience, RAM is becoming an important component of smartphones. This might not be same for Windows phones which are optimized in a way to consume plausible amount of RAM. It also depends on the efficiency of custom UI(if provided by the manufacturers )

2. Does more Megapixel in a camera means better picture quality?

Absolutely No. Smartphone manufacturers smash up more mega-pixels into their phone’s camera to make it look more powerful than their competitors. It is just a marketing gimmick. Quality of images clicked from your smartphone camera depends on the camera sensor size, image processing speed and much more. This has been explained in detail here by CNET.

3. Android or Windows Phone? Which one should I buy?

It depends on the user. If you want a solid phone with good battery backup, camera and very easy to use user interface, then definitely go with a Windows phone. Not that Android is not easy but as compared to Windows, the Microsoft phone might have an edge in ease of usability. Beside that, there are no viruses for Windows phones till now, so you can download of most of the files and surf the Internet, tension free without worrying about the malware, viruses etc. Window’s UI is TILE based grid icons, making it more elegant over the years. Performance wise, not many phones can beat Windows smartphones, thanks to its effortlessly smooth operations. One of the major advantages of Windows mobile over Android is that you won’t feel any kind of sluggishness or lag in even its lowest model like Lumia 420.

However, you cannot blame Android for being relatively slower on cheap range smartphones. Android is reigning over the smartphone market and therefore every smartphone manufacturer has been releasing phones of lowest budgets with Android. Keeping in mind the profit margin, manufacturers compromise on internal hardware quality which in turn makes the Android experience crummy for few.

Android is about doing too much with your smartphone other than the conventional use. You can do more customization to your phone and can gain full control over your phone once you root it. A gazillion of Androids apps available on the Internet made by enthusiast and professional companies. You can even create your own MODS with mods kitchens to suit your taste. Android was lagging behind on the looks front but managed to catch up with the latest Lollipop 5.0 update.

To sum it up, if you are going to play with your phone after it gets a little obsolete to expand its capabilities then Android all the way. Otherwise, Windows phones are pretty good if you are looking for great battery backup, simple to use, all necessary smartphone features with a great personal virtual assistant which is still in beta phase and doing great(more personal than Android’s Google Now). Choice is yours.

4. Where can I purchasing smartphones online?

If you are residing in India then we advise Amazon.in and Flipkart, otherwise Amazon.com would be appropriate.

(ii) Best Smartphone under 15000 ()

Best Smartphone under 7000 INR

1. Moto E

Motorola established itself in the smartphone market with its massively successful MOTO G 1st generation, which was launched back in 2013. Since then they have launched MOTO X, the higher budget and more powerful variant of the phone which somewhat failed to replicate the success of its Moto G.

Moto E hooked up with Android 4.4 Kitkat Operating System and 4.3inch Corning Gorilla Glass which gives it protection from unavoidable scratches and screen breakage to a great extent. Battery backup is pretty good, thanks to its decent battery of 1980 mAh. The phone gives a good grip in hand with the semi bulky shape. The speakers are loud and clear.

Overall the phone is ideal for first time Android users to get the taste of real Android operating system with Vanilla Android.

Specifications

Operating System

Android 4.4 Kitkat

Processor

1.2 GHz MSM8x10 Dual Core Processor

SIM

Dual SIM (GSM+ GSM)

Graphics

Adreno 302- 400 MHz Single

Display

4.3inch qHD

Camera

5 MP Rear only

Memory

4 GB (2 GB user available). Expandable via microSD upto 32 GB

RAM

1 GB

Battery

1980 mAh

2. Moto E 2nd Generation

The improved version of Moto E has raised the bar with noticeable improvement in its hardware. Internal memory has been clocked to 8 GB from 4 GB. Addition is of front facing camera which is VGA(0.3MP), which is useful in video calling. Comes with 36% faster Quad Core based CPU which will improve multi tasking power of the phone. Increase in size by 0.2inches. Battery size has been improved, now it sports a 2390 mAh battery as compared to 1980 mAh it did, previously. The phone will do well in the hands of people who were not much impressed with the first generation Moto E.

Good smartphone to start with, in this budget. You get the build quality of Motorola and taste of Android, straight what Google released as it is. The phone can be termed as the killer start in the list of best smartphone under 15000 INR in 2015.

Specifications at Glance

Operating System

Android v5.0 (Lollipop)

Processor

1.2 GHz + 8212 Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 – Quad Core

SIM

Dual SIM (GSM + UTMS)

Graphics

Adreno 302 – 400 MHz Speed

Display

4.5 qHD IPS display with 960 x 540 Pixels resolution

Camera

5 MP rear and 0.3 (VGA) front facing

Memory

8 GB (expandable upto 32 GB via microSD)

RAM

1 GB

Battery

2390 mAh

3. Huawei Honor Holly

Huawei, the largest telecommunication equipment manufacturers of the world entered the smartphone segment few years back after being the leader in telecommunication components supplies for decades. Known for durability in their products, they left no stone unturned to make their line of phones a success.

Huawei Honor Holly is equipped with a powerful Mediatek 1.3Ghz MT6582 quad core processor, which is considered a cheaper yet powerful processor alternative. The graphics processor is Mali400 M2 which is enough for medium range games like Subway Surfer, Temple Run 2, etc. You won’t face any problem in playing HD videos though. It flaunts a HD 5.5inch display(294ppi) with a fine screen resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels which won’t be a problem in playing FULL HD games as due to physical moving objects in gaming, you probably won’t notice any difference. Internal ROM is of 16Gb out of which 12.8 GB is usable by users with an expandable memory support upto 32 GB, which is enough unless you like keeping a lot of files and photos on your phone. Although it shouldn’t be a problem in this era of cloud drives.

Camera section needs a special mention as it comes with a Samsung BS 8 MP primary camera which features an F2.0 wide aperture and 5 set of optical lenses, finger prints resistant 3 layer lens coating. It wouldn’t be unfair to expect some good shots from the primary camera. Talking about the secondary front facing 2MP camera, you can expect more than modest shots.

Battery of 200 mAh is considerably appropriate, could have been better for a screen size of this phone. Power by Android Kitkat version operating system with no sign of further updates uptil now, shouldn’t be a problem though. The phone is Dual Sim standy which can host a 3G and 2G sim, supports WCDMA and GSM.

Specifications at Glance

Operating System

Android Kitkat (v4.4)

Processor

1.3 GHz + MT6582 Quad Core

SIM

Dual SIM (GSM + WCDMA)

Graphics

Mali400 MP2

Display

5 inch with 1280 x 820 pixels resolution

Camera

8 MP rear and 2 MP front facing

Memory

16 GB Internal (expandable upto 32 GB via microSD)

RAM

1 GB

Battery

2000 mAh

4. Microsoft Lumia 535

Nokia Lumia, now Microsoft Lumia is the smartphone which is easy going. Loaded with Micrsoft’s Windows 8.1, which an iOS/Android user will find pretty different in feel and user interface operation. Powered with an impressing 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 200 Quad Core which is backed by 1 GB of RAM. Nokia built up fair reputation of providing excellent cameras in theirs phones, started from Nokia N75, way back in 2006. Living up-to the reputation, Lumia series is blessed with fair cameras as well. Lumia 535 sports a 5 Rear camera with Flash and surprisingly, a 5 MP front facing camera which will come handy in during High Definition video calls.

The Lumia series is highly optimized for its range of phones therefore you won’t feel any kind of lag or sluggishness in any operations on the phone. Microsoft announced the addition of Cortana, an artificial intelligent personal assistant with Windows 8.1 update last year and has turned quite a few customers its way. Cortana is considered as slightly more accurate than Google Now in gathering information and far better than Apple’s Siri. Battery backup is more than what any Android phone offers in similar range, even Moto series.

This phone is good for people who wants the benefits of a smartphone but away from hassles and not looking to play with ROMS and MODS in future. Although there are some for Windows phones but not in much variety like there is available for Android as if now.

Specifications at Glance

Operating System

Windows v8.1

Processor

1.2 GHz + Snapdragon 200 Quad Core

SIM

Dual SIM (GSM +WDCMA)

Graphics

Qualcomm Adreno 302

Display

5 inch IPS screen with 960 x 540 Pixels resolution

Camera

5 MP rear and 5 MP front facing

Memory

8 GB (expandable upto 128 GB via microSD)

RAM

1 GB

Battery

1905 mAh

Best Smartphone under 10000 INR

5. Zenfone 5

Asus reigning over technology devices market. Ranging from Laptops to Computer cooling systems. Its Zenfone series has taken the market by storm by providing an alternative to lower mid range other than Samsung’s Y and Neo series. The distinct exterior look of the Zenfone series is what many consider as the key to its overwhelming success all over the world, beside its price justifying specifications.

First version of Zenfone 5 was heavily criticised for short battery backup, which Asus pretty much remedied by releasing a newer version of the phone code named A501CG. Zenfone 5 has a 8 MP pixel master camera with flash which produces pretty good shots and a 2 MP front facing camera. Display is HD with a resolution of 1280×720 given the screen size of 5 inch sporting a Corning 3 Gorilla Glass, IPS display. SIM type is Dual SIM with two GSM SIM support.

This phone can be concluded as the best gaming smartphone in this budget, all thanks to the powerful 1.6 Ghz dual core Intel Atom processor with Intel’s famous hyper-threading technology.

Specifications at Glance

Operating System

Android Kitkat (v4.4)

Processor

1.2 GHz + Intel Atom Z2520 Dual Core

SIM

Dual Sim (GSM + GSM)

Graphics

PowerVR SGX544MP2

Display

5 inch IPS display with 1280 x 720 Pixels resolution

Camera

8 MP PixelMaster Rear and 2 MP front facing

Memory

8 and 16 GB variants ( expandable upto 64 GB via microSD)

RAM

2 GB

Battery

2110 mAh

Best Smartphone under 15000

6. Sony Xperia M2

After immense success of Sony’s Xperia M, they tried to replicate it with their improved version called Xperia M2. With dual SIM support, larger resolution camera and bigger display. Battery has been notched up to 2300 mAh. Improvement in processor with the inclusion of Quad Core 1.2 Ghz Qualcomm processor. Battery is non removable unlike its former version.

Heavier as well, mainly because of larger display and battery. Sony’s custom UI is excellent and you won’t experience lag of any kind while using your smartphone. The deviation toward’s Sony’s trademark Walkman design is exceptional, giving you out of the box music listening experience. However, the all new M2 was criticised during its release for its price which was a whooping price of 18000 INR ( ) against their competitors providing similar configuration phone in 60% the price. The prices were dropped eventually.

Back facing camera is pretty good as it comes with Sony’s remarkable Exemor RS mobile image sensor. Front facing camera is VGA and shouldn’t be expected much beside video calling and clicking selfies is surely aren’t its forte. Overall, it rightly deserves a place in being one of the best smartphone under 15000 INR.

Specifications at Glance

Operating System

Android Kitkat v4.4

Processor

1.2 GHz Qualcomm MSM8226 Quad Core Processor

SIM

Dual Sim (GSM + GSM)

Graphics

Adreno 305

Display

4.8 inch TFT display with 960 x 540 Pixels resolution

Camera

8 MP rear with LED flash and 0.3 MP Front facing

Memory

8 GB( expandable upto 32 GB via microSD)

RAM

1 GB

Battery

2300 mAh

7. Motorola Moto G 2nd Gen

After a tremendous success of its 1st generation which was launched back in 2013, Motorola is back in the competition with its improved version of Moto G, called Moto G 2nd Gen. Bigger screen of 5.0 inch with same HD resolution of 1280×720 pixels

The weight of the phone has been kept in check with only 9gm increase in its weight. Improvement in camera with a 8 MegaPixel camera, with an f2.0 aperture. Beside that you also have the option to change the aspect ratio from 16:9 to 4:3. Camera also has HDR mode beside several other features.

As I already mentioned, Moto phones comes with Vanilla Android updates with almost no customization of their own. Probably because of minimal customization to the original Android OS, users don’t experience delay or lag of any kind.

Specifications at Glance

Operating System

Android Kitkat 4.4 (Can be upgraded to Lollipop 5.0)

Processor

1.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Quad Core

SIM

Dual Sim (GSM + GSM)

Graphics

Adreno 305 – 450 MHz Single Core

Display

5 inch IPS dispaly with 1280 x 720 Pixels resolution

Camera

8 MP rear with LED flash and 2 MP front facing

Memory

16 GB (expandable upto 32GB via microSD)

RAM

1 GB

Battery

2070 mAh

8. Microsoft Lumia 730

A powerful variant in the Lumia series with an improved camera as compared its its predecessor Lumia 720. Comes with an OLED sharp display which is of-course has Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The screen size is modest size of 4.7inch with HD resolution of 1280×720 pixels. As per the users, the sound is incredibly clear and crispy, even in high levels. It has 1 GB of RAM which is more than enough for an optimized operating system-phone combination like this. Has an internal memory of 8 GB. The phone is lighter than other phones in the same segment with the net weight of 130 g.

Talking about camera, we can go on and on about its excellent quality. Rear camera has 1/3.4″ sensor with wide f/1.9 lens while the front facing 5 MP camera has f/2.4, 22mm wide-angle lens for better self-portraits. You can drop your lower-range point and shoot cameras at home if you own a phone with this good camera.

Battery performance is extra-ordinary with 2200 mAh battery. If you are switching from Android for a change, then this don’t look back. The phone is ideal for smartphone users who like clicking a lot of pictures.

Specifications at Glance

Operating System

Windows 8.1

Processor

1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400 Quad Core Processor

SIM

Dual Sim – GSM + WCDMA (Dual Standby)

Graphics

Adreno 305

Display

4.7 inch OLED display with 1280 x 720 Pixels resolution

Camera

6.7 MP rear with LED Flash and 5 MP front facing

Memory

8 GB (expandable upto 128 GB via microSD)

RAM

1 GB

Battery

2200 mAh

That’s all for now, more to come

This was list we prepared for you to chose the best smartphone under 15000 in 2015 so far. I will add more worthy smartphones to the list. If you think I have missed any of the perfect phone under 15000 then let me know through the comment box. The list is based on over 4 weeks of research, based on user reviews, Internet forum cross references and our personal hands on the smartphones.

I'm a blogger who is in love with Computer hardware and software. Little shy but want to fly high in the sky. You can connect with me on Google Plus and Twitter @amaanthinks

Anurag Janbandhu

Great article. Loved the things you mentioned in the buying guide. But pretty disappointed with the list of phones you recommended. I mean most them are too outdated. So what’s the point in buying the phone with old hardware and absolutely no hope for future software upgrades.

Nice compilation of good mobile phones. Nice introduction to importance of basic things which needed to be taken care while buying a new phone. But I think you should include Yureka or Yuphoria in this list as they are much better phone then some listed here.